Havasupai Falls Hike, how long is it, where is it, tips, permits
Havasupai Falls is one of the most beautiful places in the world. It’s deep inside the Grand Canyon and can only be reached on foot. You would think that this would deter people from wanting to see it, but this could not be farther from the truth.
It’s estimated that more than 20,000 people per year hike down to these falls and they are continuing to grow in popularity every time another influencer posts about it on Instagram.
If you want to do this hike for yourself, there are some things you need to know before you go. I’ll cover all those things so you can see these iconic falls for yourself.
What is Havasupai Falls?
Havasupai Falls is an area that has a series of waterfalls and creeks that visitors can hike to. The waterfalls range in height between 40 and 200 feet. There are 5 main waterfalls in Havasupai: Navajo Falls, Fifty Foot Falls, Havasu Falls, Mooney Falls, and Beaver Falls.
It’s at the bottom of the Grand Canyon in the Havasupai Indian Reservation. The Native Americans in Havasupai have lived here for over 1,000 years and still speak the Havasupai language as their first language.
Where is Havasupai Falls?
Havasupai Falls is in Supai, Arizona. It’s in the Havasupai Indian Reservation at the bottom of the Grand Canyon. The closest major city is Las Vegas, so flying in and then renting a car is a great way to get there. It’s about a 3-hour drive from Vegas and a 4.5-hour drive from Phoenix.
Also, think again if you’re considering seeing the South Rim and Havasupai in one trip. It’s about a 3-hour drive from the South Rim to Havasupai.
The only way to get to Havasupai Falls is by parking at the Havasupai Trailhead parking lot and then starting your hike down into the canyon.
How Long is the Hike to Havasupai Falls?
The Havasupai Falls hike is about 20 miles out and back and has 3,700 feet of elevation gain. This hike is very difficult and requires you to train before attempting it. Temperatures can reach up to 115°F during the summer in the canyon and flash floods could happen at any time of year.
You also need to keep in mind that everything you want to bring with you on this hike needs to fit into your backpack. A normal pack usually weighs around 30 lbs and the permits for the campsite are good for three nights (which I will go into detail in right after this). I would recommend that you go on at least one overnight trek before trying this hike because it is hard.
The hike starts at the Havasupai Trailhead parking lot and descends 1,000 feet in the first mile and a half. Then the trail flattens out and is a gradual downhill until you hit the Supai Village about 7.5 miles into the hike.
You’ll continue to the first of the waterfalls, which are Little Navajo Falls and Fifty Foot Falls. After that, you’ll get to Havasu Falls. You can hear the roar of the falls miles before you see this massive waterfall. The campgrounds are right after you hit this waterfall.
Permits for Havasupai Falls
If you want to go to Havasupai Falls, you’re going to need a permit. You can get your permit at havasupaireservations.com but they are very hard to get. You can get a pre-sale reservation from 8 am Arizona time January 5 through 5 pm Arizona time January 18, 2024.
Pre-sale reservations cost about $100 more than during the normal reservation period, which is February 1st until they sell out (which is usually only a couple of days). There are only about 20,000 spots available, so book a reservation as soon as you get the chance.
The total cost for a reservation is about $100 per night and currently, the only reservations available are for 3 nights/4 full days. This means that you’ll be paying a minimum of $300 per person for a reservation. You can book a group reservation for up to 12 people but that doesn’t change the price per person.
One other thing to keep in mind is that you will need to print out two of these reservations. You’ll leave one in your car so they know you’re allowed to park there and then bring the other one with you down into the canyon to the campsite.
You can also reserve a mule to carry you and your packs into the canyon for $200 one way, or $400 both ways. There’s also a lodge in the town of Supai where you can book accommodation for 4 people that costs around $2,300 per person for 3 nights. That means that the lodge would actually end up being the cheaper option in the end by about $100.
Tips for Hiking to Havasupai Falls
When I hiked Havasupai Falls, there were some things that I wish I had known ahead of time. One of these things is you can pack a little heavier than you normally would. The reason for this is that the first part of the hike is all downhill. This means (unless you have bad knees) you can bring heavier things and then once you’ve eaten all of your food at the bottom of the canyon, bringing your pack back up the trail (which is all uphill) should be easier.
Another thing is don’t hike in the heat of the day. Start early in the morning when you’re hiking in and out so that you won’t be trapped in the horrific heat of the day. As I said, temperatures can reach up to 115°F during the day and this isn’t like normal heat. It’s a dry heat, which means you are going to be feeling every ounce of heat on your body. There’s not a lot of shade on this hike, so start early or you’ll regret it.
Another thing to remember is that you need a reservation to even see the falls. You can’t do a day hike and start really early in the morning and finish late at night back at your car. There’s a fine of up to $1,000 if you get caught without a permit, so don’t let this be you.
Conclusion:
These Falls are some of the most beautiful in the world. The aqua-blue water against the red rocks of the canyon is unlike anything you’ve ever seen. Havasupai Falls is a trip that needs to be on your bucket list, so book your reservation and get down there!
